From the gryffindor table Dean Thomas' eyes light up as he said, "Football?" He hadn't intended it to be heard by anyone but those sitting next to him but in the silence of the hall everyone heard him. Snickers to outright laughter met the unintended question.
Lucius gave the embarrassed boy a smile as he said, "I take it you can play this game and miss playing it while you are here?"
Dean nodded. "I do, Sir. But I didn't mean to interrupt you. I apologize."
Minerva leaned in and told Lucius who the student was. He nodded in thanks and addressed the young man. "Apology accepted, Mr. Thomas. I take it this football a muggle game? Team or single player?"
"Team Sir and yes Sir. It's played with a round rubber ball and two nets on opposing ends of the field. Only the goalie can touch the ball with their hands but the other players move the ball across the field any way they can without using their hands. It's a lot of fun and has a huge following in the muggle world. People play professionally and everything. It's big money these days and lots of people like it. Like Quiditch players do here."
"I see. We'll have to check it out. Maybe it's time for some muggle sports to be incorporated into our school since we are taking you children when you turn eleven from their world already. No reason why you should lose everything familiar when you come here. Finding a coach may be a bit of an issue though." Dean gave him a huge smile. He knew a squib who was currently a coach on rotation through the PeeWee teams from his home district that might be interested in the job if Mr. Malfoy was serious. He'd have to talk with him later and see.
"Another need was pointed out by Madam Pomfrey and we'll be filling that one immediately. Medi-Witch Jones is joining the staff as the mind healer/student counselor. She'll work closely with Madam Pomfrey and just as with the Madam any contact between yourselves and Medi-witch Jones is private and confidential. Sometimes a teacher may recommend you to Medi-witch Jones and sometimes it may be Madam Pomfrey who sends you to her. Other times it may be your Head of House or your Den Parent. In any case you are expected to show her the same respect you show to Madam Pomfrey."
"With a new Headmistress and a more even distribution of duties, it is hoped your school experience can be turned into more joyful memories for all of you. For the remainder of this year, we'll simply be working on clearing up left over problems from the administration of Mr. Dumbledore and assisting the Seventh Year muggleborn and raised to find security and happiness in our world."
With his speech finished, Lucius sat down and began to eat his dinner. Madam Umbridge immediately began hissing at him in a low voice so as not to be overheard. "What is this all about, Mr. Malfoy? You know Cornelius expected me to find the dirt on Professor Dumbledore and when he was dismissed, the position was supposed to go to me until Cornelius selects someone else for the position."
Smirking at her, Lucius quietly said, "We can't always get what we want, Madam. As a member of the School Board, I had no intention of allowing the Ministry to appoint a Headmaster here. This is a private school, Madam, and it will remain a private school. Now please do enjoy your dinner before it gets cold. After all, you do have a lot of packing to do tonight."
"Packing? What are you talking about Mr. Malfoy?"
"Well, you are leaving, Madam so I would suggest you spend this evening packing your belongings as you are not now, nor have you ever been, qualified to teach here," smiled Augusta who was sitting in the center seat where Albus normally sat. "You were told to remain in the Castle for an important meeting with the Board. Yet when the meeting room doors were closed, you were not present. Surely you didn't think you were excused from the meeting just because of your Ministry job title, did you? I have already spoken to Madam Bones about a qualified replacement for you and it seems she has several aurors in need of reminders who will fill the position until the end of the year."
"We may even make it a permanent thing," commented Narcissa also with a smile.
"Albus may have been alright with frauds teaching the children but I am not," said Augusta. "All my teachers will be qualified for their position which means Hagrid will be taking his equivalency exams to get his degree this summer. The only reason he's getting until the summer is because his lack of a degree isn't his fault and in no way indicates his lack of knowledge or ability."
"But he's…" Delores sputtered unable to articulate what she wanted to say.
"A disgraced former student wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit," interposed Lucius smoothly. "I will be handling the issue of his wand rights and by the end of the school year I do believe those rights will be restored with the blemish removed from his record."
"Thank you, Lord Malfoy. Thank you. Never thought I'd hear meself sayin' that but I do mean it," gushed Hagrid, tears standing in his eyes.
"You are welcome, Hagrid. Truthfully, Albus should have done it a long time ago as he has always known you weren't guilty of the charge that got you expelled. He knew it when you were accused and he pushed for your expulsion."
Hagrid froze. " He pushed for my expulsion?"
Lucius nodded. "Yes. Didn't you know that? I would've thought one of the portraits or Myrtle would've told you."